In A Jam

by Megan Sparks

  Annie looked up from stuffing the napkin dispensers. “What about eggnog cookies with peppermint cream on top?”

  “Ooh! I’ve never tried those two flavours together.”

  Annie shook her head. “I was teasing. I think you have plenty.”

  “Still ... maybe I’ll try making peppermint whipped cream. That would go great with the hot chocolates. My hot chocolate vill take over ze vorld! Ha ha!” Dad laughed an evil laugh and twiddled his thumbs like a criminal mastermind.

  Annie grinned. “If that’s the evilest thing you’ve got, you better try a new profession.”

  Dad raised an eyebrow as he rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Hmm, we’ll see. Speaking of food, did you eat?”

  “I had half a sandwich, but I can’t eat much more. I’m too nervous about the championship bout.” No, Annie, don’t think like that. Focus on how well everyone’s been skating. “At least we can only end up in second place this year, instead of at the bottom like last year. I’m glad I wasn’t here to see that. So sad.”

  Dad raised his nose high in the air. “That’s because last year the Liberty Belles didn’t have the one and only daughter of David Turner, the handsome, wonderful, dashing, clever, chef extraordinaire.”

  Silly Dad, but Annie kissed him anyway. So she was an asset to the team, but no more important than any other member. They just had the advantage of working well together this year.

  The door jingled open and a pair of antlers appeared at the entrance, swinging from side to side. The antlers lifted up to reveal Lauren, who was wearing them on her helmet. She made an odd sound before bursting into a laugh. “Can you believe I have no idea what noise a reindeer makes? What kind of animal lover am I?”

  “Don’t reindeer just laugh and call each other names?” Dad said, leaning against the doorframe separating the kitchen from the rest of the café.

  “Except when they shout out with glee. Ooh!” Lauren helped herself to a couple of cookies from the tray Annie offered her. “Are these those Swedish spice cookies? I think we got them once from Ikea.”

  “Ja, we call them pepparkakor, ja,” Dad said in a singsong Swedish accent.

  Annie rolled her eyes. “Dad, stick to the baking and leave the voices to actors.”

  Dad knocked his heels together, threw his shoulders back, and raised his hand in a military salute. “Yes, ma’am. Roger that!”

  “No more sugar for you, young man,” Annie teased as she grabbed her bag. “You’re still coming, right?”

  Dad switched from a soldier’s voice to a wide-eyed country boy in a second. “Oh, is the biggest bout of the century today? Well, shucks, I forgot. Since they won’t let parents be NSOs for the championship, there’s no point in me going.”

  Annie stuck her tongue out at her dad. “See you there.”

  “The pepper-caker thingies are amazing,” Lauren said. “I better take one for Keith too.”

  “That’s my kind of girl, always remembering the help.” Dad handed her a few more cookies for the road. “Knock those High Rollers up. I mean down!”

  Annie and Lauren got to the car where Lauren’s brother Keith was waiting for them. He looked impatient until Lauren offered him a pepparkakor, which he downed in one bite. Through the rear mirror, he gave Annie a thumbs up. Lauren took off her helmet so the antlers wouldn’t get bent on the car’s roof. Annie pulled out her own helmet, which Lexie had decorated for her at the start of the season with an Andy Warhol-esque portrait, and showed off the tinsel she had hung around the edges.

  “It looks like I’m wearing a silver wig underneath the helmet, but I don’t care,” Annie said.

  Lauren shrugged. “Well, I’m pretending the dog hair on my tights is reindeer hair and I’m getting Sharmila to give me a red nose.”

  Annie could see Lauren the Red-Nosed Reindeer in her mind. “If anyone can ‘guide’ the sleigh, it’s you!”

  They got to the rink and instead of dropping them off by the door like he normally did, Keith parked the car.

  “You’re watching us, Keith?” Annie asked.

  “Are you kidding? Football season’s over and I love seeing my little sister get beaten up. It gives me a break from having to do it myself.”

  Lauren threw him a mighty blow on his shoulder, nothing like the friendly punches she usually gave Annie. Still, Keith didn’t even seem to notice as he swaggered towards the door. Watching the siblings play fight, Annie wished she had a brother or sister.

  But at least she had Lexie. The bout wasn’t starting for a while but Lexie was already there, holding one of her homemade signs: “’Tis the season of Anne R. Key!” Wow, it was great having Lexie around again!

  Now there was just one person missing.

  Just got to the rink. Hope you can still make it. It’d mean a lot to me to have you here! Xx

  Annie sent the text to Tyler. She hoped it didn’t sound like she was nagging. She’d gone to his championship game, after all; it was only fair that he came to hers.

  The scene in the locker room was like a twisted version of Santa’s workshop. Holly was Sexy Santa complete with thigh-high stockings, a micro-mini, and a faux fur vest showing a lot of cleavage. Liz was wearing all green and had added pointy elf-ears to her triple-pierced ears. Sharmila was her usual gorgeous self in angel wings and a halo attached to her helmet.

  That was the great thing about roller derby: everyone could express themselves however they wanted. As long as there was a visible number on your back and arm, and it was obvious what team you were on, you could wear what you liked. It was brilliant.

  Once Sharmila had drawn stars around Annie’s eyes to go with the tinsel and the silver leggings she’d bought with Lexie, Annie headed to Jesse’s booth to get her skates.

  Except they weren’t on the counter waiting for her as usual. The last time Jesse didn’t have her skates ready was when he thought Annie had given up roller derby for cheerleading. As if. Today, though, he had a smile that said he knew something she didn’t.

  “What’s up?” she asked.

  “Nothing.” He grinned even wider. “It’s just that some elf came by and dropped this off yesterday.” From under the counter Jesse pulled out a box wrapped in metallic paper with a huge red bow on it.

  “What?” Annie started to ask, but then got her answer from the familiar handwriting on the package:

  To Annie, we’re so proud of you! Love from Mum and Dad

  “Aww!” She tore off the paper and turned the box on its side to read what it was. “No way, no way!”

  She opened the box and pulled out a brand-new black roller skate. Shifting the tissue paper aside, she got out the other skate as well. She held them in her hands, testing their wheels and turning the skates to admire them from every angle.

  “Wow, they’re amazing!”

  “Your dad called me the other day to ask for a recommendation.” Jesse couldn’t keep the pride out of his voice. “Apparently your mom was determined to get you a new pair for Christmas. I told him these here were a bit pricey, but would last forever.”

  “They’re perfect!” Annie flung her arms around him and dashed off to try them on. They were a little stiff around the ankle, particularly on her left side with the brace. Thank goodness she had thick socks on to avoid blisters. Still, the footbed was cushioned and already they felt better than the rental skates. There wasn’t really any difference using them on the carpet, but she couldn’t wait to test them on the wooden floor.

  But that would have to wait.

  “Gather round girls,” Coach Ritter called them over. They put their arms around each other and stood in a tight huddle. “I just want to say how thankful I am to have all of you on my team. You are all truly spectacular young ladies who have really given it your all. As far as I’m concerned, we’ve already won. We came together as a team, and that’s what counts. Whatever happens, we always have each other. Now, let’s show those High Rollers how it’s done!”

  Arms squeezed across shoulders as
the team gave themselves a group hug and cheered. This was it. They were ready!

  Annie noticed the smoothness of her new skates as she glided onto the rink. No matter how well Jesse maintained the rental skates, they weren’t nearly as good as these new ones. Her parents rocked!

  “Nice wheels!” Lauren skated up next to Annie. As if it were planned, they both suddenly changed directions and kept up talking going backwards. “Are they the S500 models? They’re killer. Great wheels for speed, sturdy trucks, and comfortable boot. According to the Real Wheels blog, they’re the top pick of skaters and refs.” Lauren talked up the skates like some people would a car.

  Annie grinned. “I’ll take your word for it. All I know is that I love them more than anything else right now.”

  “Don’t let lover boy hear you say that.”

  Annie’s head immediately jerked up to the stands. She first found Dad next to Lexie, Lexie’s arty friends Aaron and Becky, and two cute kids with flaming red hair – Abbey and Brandon, Coach Ritter’s children. They all waved like crazy fans as soon as she glanced at them. She waved back and kept searching for Tyler. She almost overlooked him. He was in the top row of the stands, tucked away in a corner with his head down, undoubtedly playing games on his phone. She started to call out to him, but then changed her mind. It was only the warm-up. Let him play his game until the bout started.

  Liz and Holly led the team in some warm-ups using dance moves to Jesse’s Christmas rock soundtrack. During the Smashing Pumpkins’ slow “Christmas Time”, the team glided through grapevines crossing a skate in front and then behind the other in a sideways step. Then it was free dance to the Ramones’ “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)”. No synchronization, just letting it loose and having fun. Just how it should be.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, folks of all ages,” Jesse bellowed into the mike, “have we got the bout of the year for you this evening. Tonight, we have the reigning champions here to see if they can keep hold of their title for a fourth year against a team that came out of nowhere. Please give it up for the High Rollers and the Liberty Belles!”

  The crowd cheered like crazy and kept it up as the individual players were introduced, the High Rollers first.

  “She’s a demon on wheels, number six six six, Deeeeeeeeee Stroyer!”

  Annie watched as her biggest rival whipped around the track at high speed. When she got back to the rest of her team, Dee Stroyer sliced a finger across her neck at the Liberty Belles. Instantly, Liz pulled down Holly’s hand which had shot up to give Dee the finger. Annie locked eyes with her nemesis and shook her head.

  You’re not going to psych us out this time. We’re better than that. Just you watch.

  “Remember, girls, we fight with points, not fists,” Coach Ritter said. “And no language! My children are out there.”

  Coach looked pointedly at Holly who had in past bouts been sent to the box for bad-mouthing an opposing player and insulting a ref.

  “Don’t worry, I’m good.” Holly waved the concern away. “They won’t get what I’m saying tonight. Thanks to my teammates, I can swear in Spanish and Hindi!”

  When Jesse introduced Annie, he switched the music to Madonna’s “Lucky Star”. She skated around the track at her usual top speed. With the song blaring, Annie knew what she had to do. She took a deep breath and sent her body into an aerial – a hands-free cartwheel. The crowd roared as she landed smoothly back on her skates.

  Annie joined the rest of her team who were standing with their arms around each other as Holly did her signature double axel. Annie looked at the High Rollers whose benches were on the other side of the penalty box, and smiled sweetly at her nemesis. See, Dee? Now that’s real intimidation. Teamwork.

  They settled down on the benches once all the introductions were finished. Coach held the jammer’s starred helmet panty as she looked at the team. Usually she started the bout with Liz or Holly as jammer. This time she threw the panty at Annie, who caught it in one hand.

  Brilliant!

  Except that right next to her on the jammer line was Dee Stroyer.

  “Ready to get clobbered?” Dee muttered under her breath as they both crouched down low.

  “Not a chance,” Annie said a second before the two short whistles indicated the jammers’ start. Annie took off towards the pack, Dee Stroyer at her heels.

  The Belles’ blockers were Liz, Lauren, Sharmila, and Bea. Like a magic curtain, they cleared the smallest gap in the wall. Annie sucked in her breath and skated through sideways. A quick glance under her arm showed the gap had disappeared and Lauren had just knocked Dee to the ground.

  Fast, fast, fast, legs crossing over, Annie caught up with the pack again. Dee had got back to her feet, made it through the pack, and was halfway around the track. In a few seconds she could start scoring points if she passed any of the Belles.

  Not happening.

  Annie barged her way between two burly blockers and as soon as she cleared the pack again, she tapped her hips to call off the jam. Back at the bench, she saw the score change to 4-0. Not much of a lead, but Annie took it as a sign of many more points to come.

  And she was right.

  In the next jam, Holly scored six points, and Annie somehow refrained from telling the High Rollers to read it and weep as the score changed to 10-1. In the jam after that, the score remained the same.

  Annie was sent out as a blocker twice before she played jammer again. The next time she crouched at the jammer line the player next to her was a black-haired girl called Cruella de Kill.

  Amongst the blockers in front of her, Annie spotted Dee Stroyer wearing the pivot panty. Not only would Dee set the pace of the pack, she would also tell the other girls on her team what to do. Annie tried not to think about that. When the jammers’ whistle blew, Annie headed straight for the middle of the blockers. At the last second she veered to the left to try and sneak by on the inside but she got pushed out of bounds. She came back behind the pack and searched for another gap. There weren’t any. Her teammates were busy blocking Cruella and couldn’t help her. Right, she’d have to barge her way through.

  She pressed against the pack but someone knocked into her and Annie’s new skates whipped out from under her. She landed hard on her thigh, but got right back up again.

  The next thing Annie knew, Dee Stroyer and Cruella de Kill were both skating on the out-of-bounds track towards the penalty box. With Cruella out for a minute, there was no opposing jammer to score points, and with one blocker down, Annie could break through the pack much more easily. It was a power jam – a brilliant opportunity to score loads of points!

  Lauren, as the Belles’ pivot, kept the pack from moving as much as possible, while Carmen, Tashi, and Cookie helped Lauren block the opposing team’s remaining blockers. Annie lapped the Rollers once, twice, and three times! Speeding around the track, Annie knew that any second, Dee and Cruella would be released from the sin bin, and she wanted to pass the pack one more time before that happened.

  Lauren held out her arm just as Annie was approaching the pack for the fourth time. Annie grabbed it and with a mighty heave, Lauren whipped her around. The momentum caused Annie to catch some air and the curve of the track added a twist. Without planning it, she brought her legs out to the sides in a straddle, touched the toes of her new skates, and twisted a full turn before landing smoothly.

  The crowd roared their approval.

  Just in front of her, Dee and Cruella were rushing out of the box. Annie decided to play a cat and mouse game as they raced to catch up with the pack. Just before the two returning High Rollers had caught up with the pack, Annie called off the jam. It was annoying for them but totally legal. In that jam alone, Annie had scored twenty points while the High Rollers had scored none. Brilliant!

  “A great power jam by Anne R. Key, bringing the score to fifty-seven to twenty-four,” Jesse announced.

  Dad, Lexie, and Coach Ritter’s kids all cheered. Annie waved and turned to blow a ki
ss to Tyler. Except he was still staring at his phone. Annie pressed her lips together. What was the point in coming to the bout if he wasn’t going to watch her play? Whatever. The bout was too exciting to worry about that now.

  The Belles kept their lead and by halftime were almost fifty points ahead. Dee Stroyer was livid but couldn’t do anything about it; the Liberty Belles were creaming the High Rollers, fair and square.

  Coach Ritter clapped her hands. “What a way to show them, peeps. All your hard work is paying off. You really look like a team.”

  In the second half, the gap between the teams narrowed a bit. There was one moment when Annie was a blocker and she was sure the Belles were going to lose their lead. Holly couldn’t slow down fast enough, and accidentally back-blocked one of the other blockers, which was illegal.

  “Oh no! The Liberty Belles’ jammer, Holly Terror, gets sent to the box, which sets Dee Stroyer up for a power jam!” Jesse spoke quickly.

  Annie could hear the panic in Jesse’s voice as she looked over her shoulder for Dee. She knew that Dee would be out for revenge, but at least Annie was ready for her.

  “Dee Stroyer is coming around but the Belles are not giving in easily. Anne R. Key shifts around Lauren Disorder and gives Dee Stroyer a mighty booty block. The High Rollers are trying to help their jammer through, but so far the Belles are looking rock solid.”

  Liz blocked the Rollers’ pivot while Sharmila sent another blocker to her knees. Dee seemed determined to barge her way past Annie, but Annie and Lauren were working together perfectly – just like they had in the Gruesome Twosome drill.

  “And there goes the whistle,” Jesse said. “In this not-so-powerful jam the High Rollers increased their score by six points.”

  The audience didn’t need an announcer to tell them that this was a disappointing result. In a rage, Dee screamed swear words and threw her helmet towards the bench, narrowly missing an NSO. The five refs all blew their whistles and tapped both hands to their shoulders to call an official timeout. They conferred for a few seconds before the head ref tapped her opposite shoulder, swept the hand across her chest, and jerked her right thumb over her shoulder.